The 1995 World Conference on Women convened by the United Nations was a watershed moment for women’s rights, a pivotal event in the movement for global progress toward gender equality. Last week, 26 years later, leaders from government, civil society, philanthropy and the private sector gathered in Paris for the culmination of the Generation Equality Forum, another once-in-a-generation opportunity to support women’s rights organizations and feminist movements across the world.

Convened by UN Women, co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France in partnership with youth and civil society, and ongoing since March, the forum was a global gathering to launch a powerful agenda of actions. While we have seen progress toward gender equality around the world over the past 26 years, more is needed from everyone — us included. At this crucial moment, this is why Canada and the Ford Foundation are proud to join together to push for greater support and resources for gender equality.